Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed Mrs Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, the mother of slain businessman, late Martin Onyekesi, popularly known as ‘Fish Magnet’, as Commissioner for Women Affairs.
In 2025, Onyekesi was murdered by kidnappers who abducted him from his home and later dumping his deceased body in another part of Awka before ransom could be paid.
The incident had sparked protests, including one led by popular social media activist, Martin Vincent Otse popularly known as Very Dark Man.
Despite efforts by some governorship candidates in the state to politicise the murder, Mrs Onyekesi, who was the Women Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra, stood her ground, insisting it had nothing to do with politics.
In the latest development, Mrs Onyekesi’s name has been included in a list of commissioner nominees forwarded to the Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker for screening.
The list of 18 persons contained only four old commissioners, while the others were new nominees.
The nominees and the ministries assigned to them, according to the list, are as follows: Agriculture, Dr. Ben Chuks Odoemena; Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Chukwukadibia Okoye; Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Udoji Amedu; Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua; Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, and Finance – Mr. Izuchukwu M. Okafor.
Others are Health — Dr. Afam Obidike; Information and Value Reformation — Dr. Law Mefor; Justice/Attorney-General – Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, Lands — Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, SAN and Local Government and Community Affairs— Barr. Vin Ezeaka.
Other names in the list are: Petroleum and Mineral Resources — Prof. Charles Ofoegbu; Physical Planning and Urban Development — Barr. Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu; Power — Engr. Casmir Chinenye Agummadu; Works and Infrastructure — Arc. Okey Ezeobi; Transport — Hon. Eddy Ibuzo; Women Affairs and Social Development — Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi and Youth Development and Sports — Mr. Patrick Agha, MBA.
The statement by Franklin Osankwa,
SA to the Governor on New Media in the Office Of the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, said the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze, received the first batch of commissioner nominees from Governor Chukwuma Soludo for confirmation during plenary on Tuesday.
